Panama City Day two - Part 2

After my nap, I woke up and I felt GREAT. I cant even tell you. It made the world of difference. It was about 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Aaron and I headed out ot go and check out hte Jazz Festival that was going on. We stoppedf and got some coffee, or shoudl I say espressos, and then were on our way. We walked around the square where the festival was being held, and it wasnt as big, or as happening as we thought it would be. So we decied to head out, and check out this one hooka bar-restaraunt that we had seen on the way in. We got there, say down at a table outside on this corner, near a park where they were having an art sale. WE got some drinks, some watermelon sheesha, or flavored tobacco for those that dont know what sheesha is, and some calimari. We sat there and talked for easily two or three hours. That was the first time since I had arrived that Aaron and I started breaking it down, and really sharing some ideas, some stories, and thoughts and everything. We laughed a lot, and it was just great conversation on just about every topic you could think of. I kept picking Aarons brain about the types of experiences he had while he was traveling. We talked about some of the things I have been up to, and have expeirenced over the last few years. You see, Aaron and I hadnt kept in the best of touch since probably 1999 or 2000 so we had to catch each other up on a lot fo stuff, so the other could understant the different contexts of each story, and its significance in the puzzle that is our life. The weather was awesome, the food was great, the sheesha was tasty. A little panamanian kid named Jesse came and talked to us for a while. He wanted to know about the water pipe. IT was a trip talking to this kid in spanish. He even did alittle dance for me, cause he wanted to see how my camera was able to capture video. I have posted it for everyone to enjoy. After that, we closed out our tab, and headed over to the jazz festival again. It was beginning to get dark, and the sky was turning pink. beautiful!!! Many more people filled the square, and were enjoying some great jazz music. WE got some food from one of the vendors, chicken, rice, tomato and cucumber. I´ll tell you what. the chicken cost 2 dollars for a thigh and leg. It was the BEST chicken I have ever eaten in my entire life. hands down. IT WAS SOOO GOOD. They put three different types of sacues on it, and I have no idea what they were, but it was so fricken good. After dinner, we walked around, got some dirnks, and ended up running into this panamanian girl who recognized us from the brazilian party the night before. Her name was Jenny, and she was with a group of her friends and brought us over to hang out wiht them. It was great to be in a group of locals, and to talk with them. I dont remember everyones names, but there were three girls, and two guys. They guys were Argentinian and Columbian, and both worked on sail boats, and would do these days and weeks long excursions and stuff. IT sounded wild. Well, we hung out with them, drinking, talking, and hangingout, and enjoying some amazing music. At this point, the places was PACKED, so many people just walked around, or sitting in groups, hanging out and enjoying themselves. Great fun. After this, we went with them over to a club, and listened to a jazz band play there. That was soooo much fun. The band was great, and I danced up a storm. I have always enjoyed Jazz music, but never knew any artists or anything, and surely hadnt ever been to a club where a band played and I danced. IT defintiely was a great time, a great experience, and one of those that Panama has brought to me already.

The first two days and nights were great. IT was perfect in that it allowed me to get settled, and adjust to the time, nad have some time to hang out and catch up with Aaron, and not have to worry about the ride and everything right off the bat. I dont know that I´ve had so much fun, and feel so relaxed, all in one day as I did today. From the canal, to the nap ( I love naps), to the sheesha, and conversation, and the atmosphere, the jazz festival, talking with locals, and dancing to a kick ass jazz band. A great great day.